Your stay — Tewodros Hotel
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The Property — Tewodros Hotel
Tewodros Hotel is a 3-star place near the old city wall, with a practical, no-frills lobby that serves as a base for exploring Harar's maze-like alleys. The vibe is functional and unpretentious, with tile floors, a small seating area, and a staff that points you to the right gate. It suits budget-minded travellers who want clean rooms and easy access to the Jugol, not luxury. You trade polish for proximity: from the doorstep you're minutes from the main market and the hyena-feeding spot at nightfall.
Chronicles of Harar
Harar was founded in the 7th century as a walled city-state, becoming a key Islamic commercial hub linking the Horn of Africa to the Arabian Peninsula. Its distinctive multi-coloured houses and five ancient gates date from the 16th-century construction of the Jugol walls under Emir Nur. By the 19th century, it had become a centre of coffee and slave trade, and later the capital of the Harari Emirate before Ethiopian imperial control. Today, the old city remains one of the most intact historic Islamic settlements in Africa, with over 80 shrines and mosques within a square kilometre. Its contemporary identity blends deep religious conservatism with a relaxed café culture fuelled by khat chewing and strong Harari coffee.
Best Time to Visit
Full Harar guide →Best months
November to February: dry, cool days (20-25°C) and low humidity make walking the old city comfortable; crowds are thin outside the brief Christmas/New Year period.
Peak / festival surge
August and September are the busiest due to the Ethiopian summer festivals and the Harar Cultural Festival (usually August); hotel prices can double. The rainy season (June-September) also peaks here, with heavy afternoon downpours.
Budget shoulder season
March-May is the best budget shoulder: rains are light, temperatures warm but not scorching, and you'll find last-minute room discounts. October is also good but the main rains have just ended.
Weather & packing
Harar sits at 1,800m so nights are surprisingly cool year-round, even after hot days. Pack a thin fleece or jacket for evenings and a waterproof shell for sudden late-afternoon thunderstorms.
Live City Briefing — Harar
- The city's main market (Ahmadu) has been partially reorganised with new covered stalls for grain and spice traders, making it less muddy in the rains.
- A new direct bus service from Dire Dawa to Harar (via the improved Bishoftu road) now runs hourly until 6pm, cutting the bumpy journey to under an hour.
- The annual Harar Cultural Festival is confirmed for 19-25 August 2026; the hyena-men feeding show will run nightly during that week, attracting larger crowds.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Tewodros Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the top floor — less street noise from Harar’s narrow, busy lanes and no footsteps above.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms overlooking the main street (likely the front-facing side) — motorbikes and street vendors start early.
Best views
Rooms facing the rear courtyard or side alley — you’ll avoid the main road and see local rooftops.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3, if available — away from ground-floor reception and street level, but check for lift noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Harar is compact and noisy by day: call to prayer from nearby mosques, tuk-tuks, and market traffic. Street-facing rooms are loud until late evening.
Insider tips
1. If you’re driving, ask for the parking spot away from the gate — less reverse beeping. 2. Request a room with a desk; despite 3-star budget, some rooms have better work surfaces.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Tewodros Hotel
Free WiFi in lobby only (good for basic browsing); paid tier in rooms (100 ETB/24h, moderate speed for video streaming). No login required
Complimentary print copy of Ethiopian Herald at breakfast; building has a historic 1930s Italian-era facade
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00. Late check-out until 13:00 costs 50 ETB, after 13:00 charged full night
Free baggage storage in locked room near reception, open 24h
Step-free access via ramp at main entrance; no lifts to upper floors, only ground-floor rooms accessible to wheelchairs
On-site parking for 10 cars, free but unreserved; nearest public car park is 200m west (Harar Central Car Park, 50 ETB/night, unguarded). No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a 500 ETB card hold for incidentals at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Aw Meshed Mosque (139 m · ~2 min walk)
- Mosque: Ali Arab Mosque (184 m · ~2 min walk)
- Mosque: Babali Mosque (219 m · ~3 min walk)
- Mosque: Qurabe-Limay Mosque (252 m · ~3 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Orental Magala Mall — 115 m · ~1 min walk
Nur Plaza — 279 m · ~3 min walk
Sherif Harar City Museum — 844 m · ~11 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 336 m · ~4 min walk
Kalkas pharmacy — 361 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Use banks or Dashen Bank ATMs in Harar for the best rates; avoid the airport in Dire Dawa or tourist-oriented bureaux that give poor rates.
Cards are rarely accepted outside major hotels; most transactions require cash, and contactless is almost nonexistent.
Round up taxi fares; 10% is fine in restaurants if service is good; small tips for hotel staff are appreciated but not expected.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of strong Ethiopian coffee from a local kiosk or street seller costs around 10–15 ETB.
A plate of shiro wat with injera at a local food stall runs about 30–50 ETB.
A main dish like kitfo or tibs at a simple restaurant costs roughly 60–100 ETB.
The area around the Harar walled city and Jegol market has stalls selling sambusas, roasted corn, and fresh fruit juices.
Local minimarkets like Bekele Supermarket and small kiosks are common for basics.
The main market in Harar's old town offers second-hand clothing and local fabrics at low prices.
Shared minibus taxis (bajaj) cost 5–10 ETB per short ride; from Dire Dawa airport, take a shared bus (50 ETB) then a bajaj into Harar.
Eat at local injera stalls rather than tourist restaurants; buy bottled water in bulk from minimarkets; haggle firmly at markets but always with a smile.
Emergency Contacts
HararFor police in Harar, dial 991. Ambulance: 907. Fire: 903. These numbers may be patchy outside town; keep a local contact. The main hospital is Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital, but for serious issues, consider evacuation to Addis Ababa. Save your embassy's number too.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Harar, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Tewodros Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 336 m · ~4 min walk — pharmacy · Kalkas pharmacy — 361 m · ~5 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Dire Dawa Bus Station → Harar Bus Station (near Jugol gate)
💡 Minibuses leave when full; sit on the left side for the best views over the escarpment. Tana Hotel is about a 15-minute walk from the Harar bus station.
Any point in Harar → Tana Hotel
💡 Short, cheap hops — flag one down for the steep walk up to Tana Hotel from the old town. They won't go outside city limits.
Dire Dawa City Centre → Tana Hotel, Harar
💡 Agree the fare before you get in — many drivers will try to quote double. Rough road after the tarmac ends; small cars struggle with the potholes.
Dire Dawa Airport (DIR) → Tana Hotel, Harar
💡 Pre-book with the hotel or a local driver; shared taxis from the airport to Dire Dawa city are cheaper but you'll still need another taxi for the final leg to Harar.
About Harar
Wikipedia ↗
Harar (Harari: ሀረር / Old Harari: هَرَرْ; Amharic: ሐረር; Oromo: Adare Biyyo; Somali: Xarar/𐒄𐒖𐒇𐒖𐒇; Arabic: هرر), known historically by the indigenous as Harar-Gey or simply Gey (Harari: ጌይ, Old Harari: ݘٛىيْ, romanized: Gēy, lit. 'the city'), is a walled city in eastern Ethiopia. It is also known...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Tewodros Hotel?
Request rooms on the top floor — less street noise from Harar’s narrow, busy lanes and no footsteps above.
Which rooms should I avoid at Tewodros Hotel?
Rooms overlooking the main street (likely the front-facing side) — motorbikes and street vendors start early.
Is Tewodros Hotel noisy?
Harar is compact and noisy by day: call to prayer from nearby mosques, tuk-tuks, and market traffic. Street-facing rooms are loud until late evening.
Which rooms have the best views at Tewodros Hotel?
Rooms facing the rear courtyard or side alley — you’ll avoid the main road and see local rooftops.
What are insider tips for staying at Tewodros Hotel?
1. If you’re driving, ask for the parking spot away from the gate — less reverse beeping. 2. Request a room with a desk; despite 3-star budget, some rooms have better work surfaces.
What time is check-in at Tewodros Hotel?
Check-in at Tewodros Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Tewodros Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi in lobby only (good for basic browsing); paid tier in rooms (100 ETB/24h, moderate speed for video streaming). No login required
Is there a city or tourist tax at Tewodros Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Tewodros Hotel?
A plate of shiro wat with injera at a local food stall runs about 30–50 ETB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Tewodros Hotel?
Shared minibus taxis (bajaj) cost 5–10 ETB per short ride; from Dire Dawa airport, take a shared bus (50 ETB) then a bajaj into Harar.
When is the best time to visit Harar?
November to February: dry, cool days (20-25°C) and low humidity make walking the old city comfortable; crowds are thin outside the brief Christmas/New Year period.
Top Attractions in Harar
💡 Go just after Friday prayers (around 1pm) when the courtyard empties—locals are happy to chat then. Dress conservatively: arms and legs fully covered, remove shoes before stepping onto any mat area.
💡 Bring your own water and snack; the park has no vendors. Best visited late afternoon when the heat drops.
💡 Start at the Iron Gate (Gate of the Afar) early morning, around 6am, to see local herders bringing in goats and camels.
💡 Get there by 6pm to claim a spot near the hyenas. Don't wear strong perfume—the hyenas have an incredible sense of smell and will avoid you.
💡 Ask the curator to show you the secret room hidden behind a false bookshelf—holds a rare collection of 19th-century swords.